England World Cup bid gets major boost

The Rugby Football Union won a significant victory in their campaign to host the 2015 World Cup today after tournament organisers officially endorsed their bid.

The board of Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) recommended the 2015 event be staged in England and suggested Japan become the first emerging nation to host the tournament four years later.

RWCL is an arm of the International Rugby Board. The final decision will be made by the IRB council on July 28.

England, who last staged the World Cup in 1991, earned the valuable RWCL recommendation ahead of rivals South Africa and Italy due to the financial strength of their bid.

The RFU pitched a "low risk, high reward" tournament that would maximise revenues for the IRB, allowing the game to take a step into the unknown in 2019.

World Cup chairman Bernard Lapasset said: "After detailed review the board decided that England and Japan would provide the best balanced combination of hosts for the continued worldwide development of the game.

"A tournament in England would allow the IRB to maximise funding available for investment in the game through a strong commercial programme and a great RWC showcase."

RFU chairman Martyn Thomas said: "The RFU is delighted that Rugby World Cup Limited has decided to recommend England to the IRB council.

"When we presented to the council in May we said that in the current difficult economic environment we could deliver a low risk, high return tournament that would leave a lasting legacy for the global game.

"We would like to reiterate that commitment and promise that we will pack iconic stadia full of excited fans and that we will give the game the best possible global platform on which to showcase itself to the world.

"We are truly excited about the opportunity to host the third largest sporting tournament in the world and fervently hope that the recommendation is accepted in July."